Illuminated-sign apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. U. BARR,J1-.

ILLUMINATED SIGN APPARATUS.

Patented 1360.22, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. U. BARR,J1- ILLUMINATED SIGN APPARATUS.

No. 573,436. Patented De0.22,1 896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN U. BARR, JR., OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO DAVID J. RICHARDSON, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ILLUMINATED-SIGN APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 573,436, dated December 22, 1896.

Application filed December 19, 1895. Serial No. 572,641. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may c07wern:

Be it known that I, JOHN U. BARR, J12, a resident of Pittsburg, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Illuminated-Sign Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention. relates to illuminated-sign apparatus.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically exhibiting upon the street, pavement, Wall, screen, or the like a series of illuminated pictorial or other objects in succession for advertising or other purposes and to provide a novel apparatus which can be employed for indicating the exact time or hour of the day or night as well as the advertising.

To accomplish these objects, my invention involves the features of construction, the combination or arrangement of elements, and the principles of operation hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the box containing the apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the box. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top view of the apparatus employed. Fig. 4c is an enlarged bottom view thereof. Fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 6 6, Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view.

Like letters indicate like parts in each of the figures of the drawings.

The box A is preferably formed of metal, such as tin, &c., and is provided with the openings at for ventilating purposes. At the lower end of the box A is the neck I), around which are formed the openings 0 in the bottom 0 of the box A to further ventilate the same. Below the neck I) is the receptacle (Z for the reception of the apparatus B, and a neck eis formed in the door or lid 6 below the receptacle d for the lens f.

As preferred by me, an incandescent electric lamp g enters the top of the box A opposite the neck b, and a reflector h is hung within the box A above the lamp g, so that the rays of light are reflected through the neck b and apparatus 13, as hereinafter described. The apparatus B is passed into the receptacle (Z through the door 6 and is held therein by pins d on the blocks (P, the said pins (Z enterin g the notches e" in the circular plated of the apparatus B, and upon the apparatus B being turned one of the pins cZ will come in contact with the stop 1?, so holding the apparatus B securely within the receptacle cZ. The apparatus l3 rests against the blocks (Z so forming an air-space (Z between the top of the receptacle (Z and the apparatus B. Secured to the bottom face i of the circular plate t' at one side thereof is the ordinary clockwork mechanism O used for indicating the time, the hand-operating shaft j of which extends through the circular plate 2' and has the gearwheelsjj thereon above the top face 2' of the plate i. An opening 7; is formed in the plate '5, within which is secured the glass clock-dial 70, containing the different timecharacters thereon, and fitting around the dial 7c is the case Z, which has the flange Z on its top edge and the flanges Z around the sides thereof for securing it to the top face 71" of the plate i.

Fitting loosely within the case Z and held therein by the flange Z is the loose ring m, around the outside periphery of which is the gear-face m, which meshes with the gearwheel j on the shaft j through an opening Z in the side of the case Z. Between the loose ring on and the dial 7t is the glass plate a, which is loosely held within the case Z by means of the ring 91., secured around the same and provided with the gear-face M, which meshes with the gear-wheelj on the shaft j. The minute-hand m is rigidly secured to the inside face of the loose ring m, and the hourhand a is rigidly secured by cement or in an y other suitable manner to the upper surface of the glass plate a.

Passing through the center of the plate 15 is the shaft 0, to which is connected the clockwork mechanism D, the said clockwork mechanism being used for displaying the different advertisements and being rigidly secured to the bottom face "Z of the plate '5 by means of the frame D, which supports the said clockwork mechanism D and the clockwork mechanism O.

Secured to the upper end of the shaft 0, between the plates o 0 is the glass disk 1, which is formed circular and is provided with a number of advertisin g-spaees 2/ thereon,the said disk 1) being held between the plates 0' o by means of the nut o engaging with the end of the shaft 0 by screw-threads in the ordinary manner. Secured upon the shaft (1 of the clockwork mechanism 0 is the ratchetwhcel q, within which engages the pawl (7 secured on the lower end of the lever the upper end of which is rigidly secured around a rock-shaft r, passing through the frame I) of the clockwork mechanism 0. A spiral spring connects the lever [and the frame I) at q. The shaft r is also provided with a levers, which is connected thereto at one end, and its opposite end is provided with two projecting flanges 5 .5 having an openings between them for a pin 6 on a gear-wheel located in the clockwork mechanismD and engaging with a small gear-wheel t on a shaft uin the clockwork mechanism D for operating the disk 1) to operate and change the advertisen'ients. A small opening .9 is formed in the flange s for the entrance of the pin 6 into the opening 8 between the flanges .5" The clockwork mechanism C and the clockwork mechanism D are almost identical in form, except that the clockwork mechanism 1) is minus the balance-wheel "u, hair-spring i1, and regulator it, such as is shown on the clockwork mechanism O in Fig. l. A handle (13 secured to the bottom face dot the circulator-plate i l or the purpose of inserting and withdrawing the apparatus from the box A.

The operation of myimproved illuminatedsign apparatus is as follows: After the clockwork mechanism 0 and D of the apparatus 13 have been wound up in the ordinary manner and the balance-wheel u. is started the apparates 13 is inserted within the receptacle (1 of the box A, which has been so placed that the time and advertisements will be thrown upon the street, sidewalk, wall, or screen, as desired. Upon the movement of the balance wheel 'u the clockwork mechanism 0 is put into operation, and through the medium of the chain of gearing therein the shal't j is turned to indicate the time by means of the gear-wheel j on the shaft} meshing with the geardace 111 on the loose ring m on the loose minute-hand m and the gear-wheelj on the shaft 7' meshing with the gear-face n on the ring n, secured around the glass plate 11, carrying the hour-hand 1/. During the movement of the clockwork mechanism 0 the shaft therein is slowly revolved, imparting motion to the ratchet-wheel 1, connected thereto. As the ratchetavhcel q is turned the pawl engagingtherewith,freesitselfabouteverythree minutes and, through the lever connected to the rock-shaft r, raises the llanges s .e on the lever s from engagement with the pin t on the gear-wheel in the clockwork mechanism D, so allowing the gear-wheel t to revolve and, through the chain of gearing in the clockwork mechanism 1), turning the shalft o therein slightly in order to place one of the advertisingspaccs p opposite the center ol. the glass plate a and clock-dial 71:. \Vhile the gear-wheel is revolving and the chain of gearing in the clockwork mechanism 1) is operating the pawl (f is held from engagement with the ratchet-wheel 1 until the disk 71 is moved, during which time the spiral spring g, connected to the lever q, is expanded. After the disk 2) is moved the required distance the spiral spring is compressed, so bringing the pawl g into engagement with another tooth in. the ratchet-wheel q and the pin t on the gear-wheel 6 into contact with the flanges s s on. the lever s, so as to be ready for another operation. While the appz'tratus i3 is in the receptacle d of the be); A the lamp 9 is above and opposite one olf the advertising-spaces p on the disk 1), which an pears opposite the center of the glass plate 7t and dial 7;, so that the time indicated by the hands in. n on the ring m and glass plate n, with the characters on the glass dial 7.:, will appear on the sidewalk, street, screen, or other suitable place, as well as the ittlVGl'tiSOlllOllil in the spacep,wl1en the light is reflected from the lamp by means of the reflector 71 down through the neck Z), disk 1), glass plate a, dial it, and lens f in the neck c.

It will thus be seen that by the use of my improved illuminatcd-sigu apparatus dill'ercnt advertising-signs can be shown upon the sidewalks, streets, walls, or screens, as well as the exact time of the day or night. The number of advertisements can be changed at will and can be shown as rapidly as desired by the simple changing of the parts. The apparatus is automatic in its action and does not require any attention whatever exceptthe winding of the mechanism at the proper time when it has run down. The parts are simple in their construction and din-able, and the apparatus is not liable to get out ol order or be affected by the weather.

Various modifications in the COllStlftlCtlull and position of the various parts ol' the ap paratus may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invent ion or sacrificing any of its advantages.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An illuminated-sign apparatus, compris ing a lens and a source of light, a clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, and means for operating the time-indicating apparatus and picture-carryingmcchanism; substantially as described.

2. An illun'iinatcd-sign apparatus, comp rising a. lens and source of light, a picture or pictures, a transparent clock dial and hands, and mechanism connected to said picture or pictures and clock-hands whereby the picture or pictures and time indicated by the clock dial and hands are displayed upon a surface at the same time, substantially as described.

IIO

An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and a source of light, a transparent clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, and means for operating said time-indicatin g apparatus and picture-carrying mechanism; substantially as described.

4;. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and a source of light, a clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, and means for operating said time-indicating apparat-us and picture-carrying mechanism, the entire apparatus being contained in a box or case; substantially as described.

5. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a box or case containing a lens and the source of light, a set of pictures within said box or case, a transparent clock-dial between the pictures and lens, a minute and hour hand carried on separate parts, and mechanism connected to said pictures and parts carrying the minute and hour hands whereby the pictures and time indicated on the clock-dial by the minute and hour hands are automatically displayed upon a surface, substantially as described.

O. An illuminated-sign apparat us, comprising a lens and a source of light, a clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, means for operatin g the time-indicating apparatus, and means for operating the picture carrying mechanism operatively connected to the apparatus for working the time-indicatin g mechanism; substantially as described.

7. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and source of light, a clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, clockwork mechanism for operating said time-indicating apparatus, and clockwork mechanism for operating said picture-carrying mechanism; substantially as described.

8. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and source of light, a clock-dial, means for indicating the time, mechanism carrying a picture or pictures, clockwork mechanism for operating said time-indicating mechanism, and clockwork mechanism for operating said picture-carrying -mechanism operatively connected to said first-named clockwork mechanism; substantially as described.

9. In illuminated-sign apparatus, the combin ation with a box or case, containing a lens and the source of light, of a set of pictures within said box or case, a clock-dial, clockhands mounted on separate parts, clockwork mechanism for operating the clock-hands, clockwork mechanism connected to the pictures, and mechanism connected to said first clockwork mechanism for operating the second clockwork mechanism to automatically change or shift the pictures, substantially as described.

10. In illuminated-sign apparatus,the combination with a box or case containing a lens and the source of light, of a set of pictures within said box or case, a clock-dial, clockhands mounted on separate parts, clockwork mechanism for operating the clock-hands, clockwork mechanism connected to the pictures, aratchet-wheel on said first clockwork mechanism, a spring-lever having a pawl thereon engaging with said ratchet-wheel, a shaft connected to said spring-lever, and a lever connected to said shaft at one end and having its opposite end engaging with a pin on a gear-wheel mounted on a shaft in the second clockwork mechanism to automatically change or shift the pictures, substantially as described.

11. In illuminated-sign apparatus,the combination with a box or case containing a lens and the source of light, of a plate or body portion secured within the box or case, a transparent clock-dial secured within said body portion, a transparent plate having the hour-hand secured thereto, a flanged case around the transparent plate, a loose ring within the flanged case having the minutehand secured thereto, clockwork mechanism secured to said body portion, and gear-faces around said transparent plate and loose ring adapted to engage with gear-wheels on a shaft in the clockwork mechanism, substantially as described.

12. In illumin ated-sign apparatus,the combination with a box or case containing a lens and the source of light, of a plate or body portion secured within the box or case, a transparent clockdial l secured within an opening in the body portion, a transparent plate having the hour-hand secured thereto, a flanged case around the transparent plate, a loose ring within the flanged case having the minute-hand secured thereto, clockwork mechanism secured to said body portion at one side thereof, gear-faces around the transparent plate and loosering adapted to engage with gear-wheels on a shaft in the clockwork mechanism, a disk carryinga set of pictures secured 011 a shaft located within the body portion, clockwork mechanism connected to said shaft, and mechanism connected to said first clockwork mechanism for operating the second clockwork mechanism to automatically change or shift the pictures, substantially as described.

13. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and the source of light, a transparent clock-dial, a transparent plate having the hour-hand secured thereto, a loose ring having the minute-hand secured thereto, and mechanism for operating said transparent plate and loose ring; substantially as described.

14. An illuminated-sign apparatus, comprising a lens and a source of light, a transparent clock-dial, a transparent plate having the hour-hand secured thereto, a flanged case around the transparent plate, a loose ring within the flanged case, and mechanism for operating said transparent plate and loose ring; substantially as described.

15. An illuminated'sign apparatus, C0111- prising a lens and source of light, a transparent clock-dial, a transparent plate having the hour-hand secured thereto, a flanged case around the transparent plate, a loose ring within the flanged case, and gear-faces around said transparent plate and loose ring adapted to engage with gear-wheels on a shaft in the 10 clockwork mechanism; substantially as do scribed.

In testimony whereof I, the said JOHN l". BARR, J12, have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN U. BAll-t, .l'iz. \Vitn esses:

J. N. (looms, W. A. JKTAKELEY. 

